His Name's Sake

The preacher’s maternal grandfather, Neville Mays, was president of a small-town bank in Graves County, Kentucky. His name carried weight in that community. When the preacher introduced himself as Neville Mays’s grandson, doors opened. Strangers became friends. The name meant something.

All people must answer two fundamental questions: Who am I? and Why am I here? These questions of identity and purpose shape our lives. Some find answers through work or circumstances; others struggle. Difficulty answering these questions leads to confusion and lostness.

We are made in the image of God, yet unlike God, we must discern our identity and purpose. God operates consistently with his character and promises. Throughout history, God has revealed himself so that we might identify with him and find our purpose in him. God’s identity is revealed in his character; his mission is to make himself known. His character is seen in creation; his mission is seen in his grace. God is faithful because of who he is, not because of what we do.

In Exodus, after the people worshiped a golden calf, God had every right to destroy them, but Moses interceded. In Ex. 32:11-14, Moses reminds God that his promise to go with Israel distinguishes the nation from all others. God relents. Then in an astounding request in Ex. 33:18, Moses asks to see God’s glory. Exodus 34 records God’s self-revelation to Moses, describing his character and mission: compassionate, gracious, faithful, forgiving, loving.

God’s reputation is at stake in Exodus. What will the nations think if God destroys Israel? Is there a God of patience, mercy, and grace? In Isaiah 48:9-11, God says he does not destroy Israel for his own name’s sake. He cannot operate outside his identity. “For my own sake, for my own sake, I do this. How can I let myself be defamed? I will not yield my glory to another.” God reveals his glory.

Psalm 23:3 says, “He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” This is the nature and character of God. His identity is to guide; his purpose is to bring rest. Why? Because this is who God is. 1 John 2:12 states, “I am writing this to you because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.” We are forgiven because of God’s character. He saves; we respond.

2 Timothy 2:11-13 declares, “If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.” This is the message of scripture. It isn’t to give us permission to misbehave; it is to give us a glimpse into the glory of God. God cannot disown himself. He has forgiven us because of who he is, not because we are worthy or deserve it. God cannot dishonor his own name.

Our identity is found in the character of God. We are who God says we are, whether we believe it, feel it, or act like it. God says we are sinners, our hearts set against him. Like Eve in the garden, we all chose to be god rather than listen to God. But God does what only God could do—consistent with his identity, character, and nature. He redeems. God calls us holy sons and daughters, and now we have our identity. God gives us the same mission he has. In Exodus, God ensured that the nations saw his glory. That is our purpose: to reveal the glory of God. We cry out, “Show us your glory,” and God says, “You have seen my glory in John 1:14—the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” Our identity is holy children of God. Our purpose is to make God look good in a world that is lost and directionless. Why? For his name’s sake. For the glory of God.

The name Neville Mays meant something in that small town, and the preacher’s attachment to that name had nothing to do with him. He lived in the blessing of that name. Folks trusted that name. In the same way, God’s reputation is at stake. He has revealed his glory. His grace is real. Our attachment to that name and reputation has everything to do with him. May we as God’s holy children reveal the character of God—compassion, grace, forgiveness, love, faithfulness.

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